The updates resulted from PTCB’s latest Job Analysis Study, which involved over 25,000 pharmacy technicians from every state and a wide range of practice settings. Consistent with industry best practices and National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) standards, PTCB evaluates the evolution of pharmacy technician roles by conducting this study on a regular basis. Based on the newest data collected, PTCB analyzed the requirements of the occupation to update the PTCE.

"The PTCE is widely recognized and trusted to accurately reflect the current knowledge, skills, and abilities required for pharmacy technicians to effectively perform their duties, support pharmacists, and advance patient care,” said PTCB Executive Director and CEO Everett B. McAllister, MPA, RPh. “The November 1st updates in the PTCE are based on our latest study across community, hospital, and federal settings, with an increased focus on patient safety.”

The updated PTCE more strongly emphasizes certain knowledge areas, including medication safety and pharmacy information systems. PTCB put extensive effort into reorganizing the test and creating more specific knowledge groupings, or ‘domains,’ each with sub-domains or ‘areas.’ The updated exam has nine domains instead of three, with revised proportions of emphasis. The time allowed for the exam (110 minutes), the quantity of questions (90 multiple-choice), and the $129 test fee will remain the same.

The PTCE is administered at 237 Pearson Professional Centers nationwide and military test centers. Detailed information on PTCB’s program and the updated PTCE are available at PTCB's website.